XML: Introduction UK Classes & Lessons (Languages: XML)

About this class

XML is the predominant mark-up language for data- and document-centric applications. XML is Used across all industry sectors from Financial to Utilities, for a variety of applications requiring data interchange including online datastreams and online mortgage applications.

The Comprehensive Introduction to XML Training Course provides an intensive hands-on introduction to developing real world XML based systems in a distributed environment. We will introduce you to the latest theoretical and practical issues surrounding the implementation of XML-based systems (content vs. layout) and interfaces to languages such as Java.

This course has been developed for real-world, commercial scenarios by our expert instructors. See below for detailed syllabus.

Who will the lesson benefit?

Developers looking to discover the power and benefits of XML through hands-on practical application of the technology.

What delegates will learn

Attending the XML training course will enable delegates to:

Design and create an XML file.
Create a DTD and use it to validate XML files.
Separate content from style and apply CSS stylesheets.
Use XSL to transform XML documents and create different types of output.
Access XML documents through the DOM and Javascript.
Find XML tools, resources and examples on the Web.

Hands On Exercises

Using an XML editor to create files.
Creating and displaying graphical information.
Turning your old HTML into fresh XHTML.
Adding colour to XML with CSS stylesheet files.
Searching an inventory using XPath queries.
Managing a list of contact informatIon.
Producing PDF files from XML.

What prerequisites are required

Knowledge of a mark-up language such as HTML would be advantageous.

Contents of this class

Introduction to XML

What is XML?
XML document tags
Rules for naming XML terms
The XML document - elements, the hierarchical element structure
The XML document attributes - elements vs. attributes, entities, text
A well formed XML document
Namespaces

Using XML

XML in the Enterprise
XML over the web
XML architecture and design
Some XML applications (XHTML, SVG)

Validating XML documents - I

DTD - Document Type Definition
Using a DTD, a sample DTD
Definition of elements, attributes, entities

Validating XML documents - II

XML Schemas
Schema Grammar and vocabulary
Elements, schema, datatype, attribute type, group, description
Referring to a schema in an XML file
Converting DTD to schemas
Using namespace and open model

Styling and displaying XML

CSS Cascading Style Sheets
The History of CSS
Syntax
Selector by attribute (class, id)
Styles (units, colours, display/background, text, font, border, margin)
Styles (padding, classification, positioning)

Styling and transforming XML

XSL eXtensible Style Language
XSLT and FO
XSL capabilities
Templates
XSL style sheets
Matching elements by location Xpath
Matching attributes and ids
Testing for existence
Processing XSL and program flow
Repetition
XSL number and string functions
Node-set functions
Sample style sheets
Examples using formatting objects
Variables, white space
Importing style sheets

DOM Document Object Model

The XML DOM
A document tree
Accessing the DOM
The DOM Interfaces
Accessing nodes
Data types returned by DOM Methods
Adding nodes
Node interface, types, attributes, methods
The Character Data Interface
The element interface
Implementing DOM

Parsing XML

SAX Simple APIs for XML
SAX - how it works
How to parse an XML document
HandlerBase class
Element, text callbacks
DOM versus SAX
Parsing XML
SAX parser considerations
Java parsers

Optional follow-on classes

XML Introduction Training Course
XSLT for XML Transformations Training Course
XML for Java Developers Training Course
XML Management Overview Training Course
XML Modelling Vocabulaires Training Course